Pakistan beaten by South Africa's C team, Mohsin Naqvi to hide in Bunkers again

Pakistan suffered a 55-run loss against a second-string South African side in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 28. The Salman Ali Agha-led team delivered a lackluster performance to concede a 0-1 lead to the visiting side led by Donovan Ferreira.

South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks scored 60 off 40 balls, including five boundaries and one six, while Corbin Bosch recorded his career-best figures of 4 for 14 during the series opener. The second T20I will take place in Lahore on Friday, before the third and final match at the same venue on Saturday.

Reeza Hendricks Stars with Half-Century in South Africa’s Innings

After being sent in to bat, South Africa scored 194 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Quinton de Kock gave the visitors a flying start with 23 off 13 balls, while Tony de Zorzi added momentum in the middle overs with an explosive 33 from just 16 deliveries.

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George Linde chipped in with 36 off 22 balls, helping push the total close to 200. South Africa kept Pakistan’s bowlers under constant pressure throughout the innings.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 26 in his four overs. Saim Ayub also made an impact with two key wickets, including an early breakthrough during the powerplay.

However, the rest of the bowling attack failed to contain the flow of runs. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah managed one wicket each but conceded over 11 runs per over.

Corbin Bosch Records Career-Best Figures While Defending Target

In the run chase, Lizaad Williams provided the first breakthrough by removing Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan (24 off 19). Babar Azam, who returned to the T20I side, perished for a two-ball duck.

From 31 for no loss, Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse and were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs. Mohammad Nawaz offered some late resistance with a quick 36 off 20 balls, but the target proved too steep against a disciplined South African bowling unit.

Corbin Bosch tore through Pakistan’s middle and lower order, while George Linde chipped in with 3 for 31. Lizaad Williams and Lungi Ngidi also bagged crucial wickets. South Africa secured a 55-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

We Just Need to Do Proper Batting Shift - Pakistan Skipper Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted that the batting collapse cost them the opening T20I. He acknowledged that while the bowlers recovered well after a poor start, the batting unit failed to build crucial partnerships in the middle overs.

"We started well. We didn't start well when it comes to bowling but we pull things back. With the batting, we are losing too many wickets in the middle and we need to fix that and we need to make a quick turnaround in the previous time," Salman Ali Agha said.

"I think we just need to do proper batting shift. We have to take singles and doubles and make partnerships and the partnerships are missing right now in the middle. If we have good partnerships, then we can chase these kind of totals. But right now, we are just losing too many wickets in the middle and that's costing us a game as well."

Also read: KL Rahul reveals ugly dressing room clash with Rahul Dravid: “Why did you turn your back…”